Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund round 5 discovery C6
Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund round 5 discovery C6 supports energy networks and partners to explore innovations that improve Great Britain's energy infrastructure and deliver net zero with consumer benefits.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: June 24, 2026, 11:00am UK time (C6 closing) | October 22, 2026 (Cycle 7) | February 24, 2027 (Cycle 8) | June 23, 2027 (Cycle 9)
Funding Amounts: Up to £200,000 per Discovery project, exclusive of VAT, within five months; £30 million across seven challenges
Summary: Supports collaborative Discovery projects developing energy network innovations that deliver net zero and consumer benefits.
Key Information: Only an Ofgem-licensed gas or electricity network or Electricity System Operator can lead.
Description
Innovate UK delivers this competition with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), using Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund funding. It supports collaborative Discovery projects addressing Round 5 challenges and benefiting Great Britain’s energy network infrastructure, consumers, operation and utilisation. The programme aims to deliver net zero at the lowest cost to consumers while helping innovative businesses grow and scale.
Discovery defines the problem, the value of solving it, consumers’ and network users’ needs, and relevant constraints. Applicants must plan a route towards live testing in Alpha and large-scale demonstration in Beta, with commercialisation considered from the outset. Discovery is the first of four phases: Discovery, Alpha, Beta and Deployment. Successful Discovery applicants are invited to apply for Alpha, with further assessment.
